Blair Victory a Win for New Zealand

Education New Zealand Media Release

Blair Victory a Win for New Zealand

28th January 2004

‘Tony Blair’s narrow victory for his plan that allows for increased fees for British universities has an important potential upside for New Zealand’ says Education New Zealand Chief Executive Robert Stevens. ‘Increased fees for British students at home could provide major opportunities for local tertiary providers to encourage students from the U.K. to take advantage of our excellent education services at prices which suddenly may become a lot more attractive when compared with the British institutions.’

Blair’s plan, which was widely viewed as a mark of confidence in his leadership, will see British university fees potentially rising from a capped rate of 1,125 pounds to up to 3,000 pounds per annum.

‘There are already a number of British students who come to New Zealand for university study, drawn by specialist courses and expertise’ says Robert Stevens. ‘However, the Blair fee’s plan opens up new horizons for local providers. Converting those pounds to dollars makes good sense for many prospective students. When you add in the cost of living in the UK, together with the lifestyle advantages that we can offer, the reality is that paying full fees at a New Zealand tertiary is a cost effective option’.

‘While we don’t anticipate that the dreamy spires of Oxford or the hallowed halls of Cambridge will be completely usurped by the New Zealand’s own Oxford (in North Canterbury) or Cambridge (in the Waikato), we do anticipate that our tertiary providers will be viewing the U.K. market with heightened interest’ says Robert Stevens.

‘Blair’s big win may not only be good news for his own political future, but could be very good news for New Zealand as well.’

Ends

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